Are Wrist Guards Dangerous?

For several sports, including skateboarding, in-line skating, skiing, and snowboarding, wrist guards are an essential safety accessory. When you wear wrist guards, your wrists are less likely to twist or be otherwise injured in the event of a fall. Keep reading if you want to find out if there are any downsides to wearing these protectors.

Overview of Potential Dangers Associated with Wrist Guards

Athletes frequently use wrist protectors as a preventative measure against potential injury.

While these tools can be useful in minimizing the likelihood of such injuries, it is important to be aware of the dangers associated with their usage.

Wrist guards provide a significant threat of trapping foreign objects, which is why they are not without their hazards.

Due to the snug fit and lack of wrist flexion provided by these devices, it is important to avoid wearing jewelry or other tiny items that might become lodged between the guard and the wrist and cause injury.

Another possible risk of using wrist protectors is that they will hinder performance. Damage to the skin from the guard rubbing against it on a regular basis is another risk associated with employing wrist guards. Inflammation, bruising, blistering, and sometimes even infections or skin damage might result from this. For this reason, it's crucial that the guard fits snugly but comfortably on the wrist.

Also, there's the possibility of contracting an infection from using a shared wrist guard or from doing so in filthy surroundings. To reduce the danger of contamination, guards should be cleaned and maintained correctly when they are not in use.

Increased Fracture Risk

An increased chance of fracture is one of the risks associated with wearing wrist protectors. A wrist guard's physiological purpose is to restrict the wrist's range of motion, hence reducing the force exerted by the joint when it is overstretched.

However, this restriction can reduce forearm muscle strength and cause wrist bone fragility. A person's risk of breaking their wrist increases if they reduce the amount of time they spend using and moving their wrists. In addition, the wrist guard may not be able to prevent a break in the event of an accident since it has been used so infrequently up until that time. As a result, it is crucial that individuals understand the potential downsides of using a wrist guard as a safety measure, as this might cause more harm than good in some specific situations.

Impairment of Sensation in Hands

Wrist protectors have been linked to cases of tingling and numbness in wearers' hands. This is especially the case over extended periods of time or with very restrictive wrist protectors. Danger lurks when one loses the capacity to feel pressure, heat, cold, or vibrations.

Wrist guards that don't fit properly might cause rashes, inflammation, and other skin issues. This is because friction is created between the skin and the guard when they are forced together for an extended length of time. Overly inflamed skin is more susceptible to infections and other issues.
Loss of dexterity — Wearing overly bulky wrist guards might impede your ability to move your hands freely.

Blood flow restriction: Wearing wrist guards too tightly might limit blood flow to the hands and wrists. Hand strength and endurance may be negatively impacted due to the resulting swelling, tingling, and numbness. Tissue damage or other major health issues may result from poor circulation if it is cut off for an extended period of time.

Inability to Accessorize With Other Protective Equipment

Skaters and athletes should wear wrist protectors to prevent injury to their wrists from falls or collisions. The bulkiness of most wrist guard materials might restrict a wearer's hand and wrist movements. It may become more challenging to keep a firm hold on a skateboard, handlebars, or other tools. Wrist guards aren't always the most convenient accessory, especially for athletes who use gloves for additional hand protection or to keep their hands dry. Because of their weight, gloves can be tough to obtain in the right size and uncomfortable to put on and take off.

Finally, when not in use, wrist guards may be rather cumbersome in and of themselves. They may make it hard to use shoes, helmets, or other safety gear that would otherwise provide appropriate protection against falls. Wrist guards serve a vital safety role, but they may cause problems with the fit or appearance of other safety gear. When considering whether or not to wear wrist protectors, this factor must be taken into account.

How to Minimize Risks of Injury When Using Wrist Guards:

It's crucial to know how to protect yourself from harm when using wrist guards. To help you do this, consider the following suggestions:

• For starters, check that the wrist guard fits comfortably. It can be uncomfortable and even dangerous if it is overly tight or loose.
• The wrist guard should be worn at all times when engaging in strenuous activity. High-intensity hobbies, such as skating and snowboarding, can increase stress on the wrists and necessitate the use of wrist protectors to prevent injury.
• Watch out for the terrain, since riding on areas with debris or unevenness can enhance the likelihood of injury.
• Practice landing leaps and tricks until you have perfected your technique; improper landing form can lead to joint strain and injury, so be sure you know how to do the trick before you try it.
• Take frequent rests to prevent overwork and tiredness, both of which can raise physical stress and the likelihood of injury.
• Keep yourself hydrated and take pauses as required; dehydration can affect your balance and coordination.
• To avoid getting hurt when working out, it's a good idea to stretch before you start.
• When your wrist guard is worn to the point that it is no longer supporting your wrist, it is time to get a new one.

How to Wear a Wrist Guard?

It's crucial that your wrist guard fits properly whenever you wear it. First, adjust the guard's straps so that they may be worn on your wrist. The guard should fit snugly on the wrist without restricting motion or blood flow. Loosen the straps and use your hands to fine-tune the guard's fit until you feel safe and protected.

Once you get the protection in position, you may secure it with the buckles or Velcro fasteners on the straps. The guard has to be snug enough to stay in place during exercise but not so tight that it causes pain or discomfort. The guard's base pad or cushion may also need to be adjusted to fit your wrist properly. Finally, make sure that no irritating seams are touching your skin.

The Use of Wrist Protectors

The purpose of wrist guards is to protect the user's wrists by acting as a barrier between the wrist and the ground in the event of a fall.

In addition to protecting the user's hands, the guard's material improves the athlete's grip and stability during feats and tricks. The guard's design also aids in stabilizing the wrist, which decreases stress on the joint and protects the wearer from painful sprains and twists.

Additionally, padded wrist protectors can be worn in colder weather to assist keep the hands and forearms toasty.

This is crucial in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding when muscular spasms caused by the cold can make it hard to maintain a good balance. Avoiding them by keeping one's wrists warm makes for a more pleasant and secure trip.

Wrist guards are a crucial piece of safety equipment for any sport or activity that entails the risk of falling or making contact with hard surfaces. Not only do they keep your hands safe from harm, but they also make handling easier, lessen joint stress, and keep things toasty. When participating in any form of board sport or winter activity, it is highly recommended that you wear wrist protectors.
Wrist guards are worn in order to prevent damage to the wrists from vigorous activities.

Common construction materials include hard and foam cushioning. The sturdy outside shell provides protection for the wrist, while the foam cushioning provides comfort and shock absorption. The wrist is better supported by compression, which helps prevent sprains and strains. But they also help you avoid hyper-extending your wrists when performing activities like jumping. In addition, the function determines the particulars of the design and the materials employed.

Because of their small size and portability, wrist guards may be taken anywhere, making them perfect for sports like skating and skiing.

Incorporate Proper Form and Technique When Skating or Snowboarding

When skating or snowboarding, it is crucial to wear wrist protectors for safety. Although skill and experience go a long way toward preventing accidents, even the most seasoned sportsmen should think about wearing wrist protectors.

Strains and breaks to the wrist are less likely to occur if a wrist guard is worn in the event of a fall, and in certain situations, the force of impact can be mitigated as well. Protecting your wrists is always a good idea, but it's especially crucial when you're trying out new stunts or tackling more challenging terrain. The impact of a fall is reduced and less severe injuries are sustained when wrist protectors are used.

To reduce the impact of landings, the athlete should maintain their knees bent and leap up off their ankles.

It's easier to keep your balance and control by keeping your arms extended and close to your body. Be wary of potentially hazardous terrains, such as slippery surfaces or restricted regions.

Wrist injuries are widespread, and there are many potential triggers. Being aware of the dangers of engaging in physical activities that call for frequent, forceful wrist motions is crucial.

Overuse, direct impact, falls, and fractures of the wrist bones are common causes of wrist injuries. You could experience any or all of the following: pain, swelling, soreness, numbness, and tingling.

Protecting your wrist from harm is the main purpose of wrist guards. Skateboarding, snowboarding, motorcycling, rollerblading, and volleyball are just some of the sports and activities that can benefit from their use. Wrist guards are protective devices used to shield the wrist from injury caused by accidental collisions, excessive usage, or other causes. If your activity increases the likelihood of a wrist injury, you should consider wearing wrist protection.

Conclusion:

As long as the wrist guard is the right size for the wearer and is made of acceptable materials, it poses no risk to the user during normal use. Some reports claim they cause harm because of the added pressure they place on the wrist joint, however, this is usually attributable to improper size or low quality. Wrist guards are a useful tool for athletes because, when used properly, they may prevent injuries and provide the wearer peace of mind during specific types of activities.

FAQ

Can you break your wrist with wrist guards on?

They are designed to protect your wrist from any dangerous impact, such as a fall or contact sports. Wrist guards are not a guaranteed form of protection but can reduce the risk of injury.

Should I wear a wrist guard?

Someone engaging in risky sports may find that using one provides additional protection against injury, while others may not need one at all.

Can a wrist brace cause harm?

A wrist brace shouldn’t cause harm if worn properly and according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is important to make sure the fit isn't too tight so that circulation is not impeded and there isn't too much pressure on any one area of the wrist.

Do wrist braces weaken your wrist?

Wrist braces can provide additional support to help relieve pain and stabilize weak wrists but will not necessarily weaken them. Braces can also be used for rehabilitation after an injury or surgery, helping to strengthen muscle tissue in the area as well as provide stability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Poglianich          

Content Strategist

Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.